1 00:00:08,007 --> 00:00:10,977 Welcome. Welcome to another virtual episode of NASA 2 00:00:11,044 --> 00:00:13,980 Science Live. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage 3 00:00:14,047 --> 00:00:16,983 Month, we want to reinforce our commitment to equal 4 00:00:17,050 --> 00:00:20,053 opportunity, diversity and inclusion. 5 00:00:20,987 --> 00:00:23,957 My name is Raquel Villanueva. My last name originates 6 00:00:24,023 --> 00:00:27,927 from a town's name in Spain. It was brought to La Paz Bolivia 7 00:00:27,994 --> 00:00:30,997 where part of my family still resides. At NASA, 8 00:00:31,064 --> 00:00:34,000 wesee diversity as a strength. We're bringing you an 9 00:00:34,067 --> 00:00:37,003 episode all about our Hispanic American employees 10 00:00:37,070 --> 00:00:40,006 and the valuable ideas and perspectives they 11 00:00:40,073 --> 00:00:43,009 bring to the agency. Like many of our employees, 12 00:00:43,076 --> 00:00:46,946 today's episode is bilingual. So be sure to toggle 13 00:00:47,013 --> 00:00:50,917 between English captions or Español. Today 14 00:00:50,984 --> 00:00:53,953 we celebrate many of the amazing NASA employees with Hispanic 15 00:00:54,020 --> 00:00:56,990 heritage and the diverse and varied roles 16 00:00:57,056 --> 00:00:58,057 everyone fills. 17 00:01:00,026 --> 00:01:02,061 Hello, hello, hello. Hello, everyone. 18 00:01:05,031 --> 00:01:07,934 Hi, my name is Dr. Bea Gallardo-Lacourt Hi, my name is Carmen Pulido 19 00:01:08,001 --> 00:01:12,305 and I’m originally from Tijuana, Mexico. Hello, my name is Andrés Andrade. 20 00:01:12,372 --> 00:01:16,943 Hi my name is Bettina Inclan NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications. Hi, I'm Frank 21 00:01:17,010 --> 00:01:18,945 Rubio from Miami, Florida. 22 00:01:19,012 --> 00:01:22,949 My name is Ali Guarneros-Luna Hi, how are you? 23 00:01:23,016 --> 00:01:26,953 My name is Ashley Curiel and I’m from Guadalajara, Mexico. 24 00:01:27,020 --> 00:01:29,956 Mexico. Originally from Mexico City, but I Live now in Queens, 25 00:01:30,023 --> 00:01:32,992 New York. I am a proud American. First 26 00:01:33,059 --> 00:01:34,961 generation of Cuban and 27 00:01:35,028 --> 00:01:37,997 Mexican parents. I was born in Mexico, but I'm currently 28 00:01:38,064 --> 00:01:44,971 residing in Los Angeles, California. Hi! My name is Jessica Rola and I am a proud, bilingual Mexican. 29 00:01:45,038 --> 00:01:47,941 I’m an aerospace engineer here at NASA Ames. 30 00:01:48,007 --> 00:01:50,977 I am a systems engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory 31 00:01:51,044 --> 00:01:55,982 in Pasadena. My job is to study the solar system 32 00:01:56,049 --> 00:01:58,985 As a Thermal Engineer doing thermal analysis and design especially 33 00:01:59,052 --> 00:02:05,024 with cryogenic systems. I'm Clinical Psychologist 34 00:02:05,091 --> 00:02:08,928 at the Johnson Space Center medical clinic, 32 and I work with all our former astronauts. I'm a Public Affairs 35 00:02:08,995 --> 00:02:11,998 Officer at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Southern California. 36 00:02:12,065 --> 00:02:15,001 I am a Business Manager. At JPL, I'm a 37 00:02:15,068 --> 00:02:18,972 Mechanical Engineer and I support electromagnetic compatibility 38 00:02:19,038 --> 00:02:21,975 testing on spacecraft and instruments. I work for NASA's 39 00:02:22,041 --> 00:02:24,978 office of STEM engagement at The Goddard Institute for Space 40 00:02:25,044 --> 00:02:28,081 Studies. So, I work closely with students and with teachers 41 00:02:28,982 --> 00:02:31,985 I develop technology for the missions to the Moon and Mars 42 00:02:32,051 --> 00:02:34,954 and I am currently working with the Mars navigation team, 43 00:02:35,021 --> 00:02:37,957 The Mars 2020 team that is in charge of 44 00:02:38,024 --> 00:02:40,994 figuring out where the spacecraft is in space at all times 45 00:02:41,060 --> 00:02:43,997 and to tell it how to get to Mars. And I have been working at Goddard 46 00:02:44,063 --> 00:02:47,934 for one year in magnetosphere ionospheric cappings specifically 47 00:02:48,001 --> 00:02:50,937 the Aurora. And I became a NASA astronaut after a 20-year 48 00:02:51,004 --> 00:02:53,973 career in the US Army, eight years flying blackhawk helicopters, 49 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,076 and twelve years as a Family Medicine Physician. My NASA journey 50 00:02:57,977 --> 00:03:00,947 began soon after I had just started my classes towards my Masters 51 00:03:01,014 --> 00:03:03,950 in Education. I remember I got the opportunity to interview at JPL 52 00:03:04,017 --> 00:03:04,951 after many months 53 00:03:05,018 --> 00:03:07,954 of not giving up and now 54 00:03:08,021 --> 00:03:10,957 I'm a lead engineer and representing NASA. And while I was still 55 00:03:11,024 --> 00:03:13,960 completing my Master's, I came back for a second internship 56 00:03:14,027 --> 00:03:16,963 which eventually led to a full-time position. Working here I 57 00:03:17,030 --> 00:03:20,967 realized that NASA also hires lawyers, custodians 58 00:03:21,034 --> 00:03:23,937 and even social media managers, so it's not 59 00:03:24,003 --> 00:03:26,973 all just pilots and engineers around here. Very proud of my culture 60 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,076 and my Heritage. I'm very proud to be part of the NASA family. 61 00:03:30,977 --> 00:03:34,080 Thank you for taking the time to celebrate our rich culture. Thank you. See you soon. 62 00:03:37,984 --> 00:03:40,954 I love seeing the wide range of roles Hispanic Americans 63 00:03:41,020 --> 00:03:43,957 have at NASA. Be sure to stay tuned at the end of 64 00:03:44,023 --> 00:03:46,993 our show to find out how you can ask questions one-on-one 65 00:03:47,060 --> 00:03:50,930 with our NASA experts. We're now joined by Sabrina 66 00:03:50,997 --> 00:03:54,000 Delgado Arias, an Applications Coordinator 67 00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:57,937 at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Welcome, 68 00:03:58,004 --> 00:04:01,007 Thank you very much. 69 00:04:01,074 --> 00:04:04,944 So Sabrina, I hear that you are researching some exciting topics. 70 00:04:05,011 --> 00:04:07,914 Can you share more about your work? 71 00:04:07,981 --> 00:04:10,917 Yes, well my work in a nutshell is to be 72 00:04:10,984 --> 00:04:13,953 able to understand how people use ICESAT-2 73 00:04:14,020 --> 00:04:16,990 data. This is the mission that I work primarily 74 00:04:17,056 --> 00:04:19,993 with. It was launched in 2018 75 00:04:20,059 --> 00:04:22,996 and it provides us with the 3D profile of our 76 00:04:23,062 --> 00:04:25,999 Earth using height measurements. We have a 77 00:04:26,065 --> 00:04:29,002 number of people that have expressed interest in the 78 00:04:29,068 --> 00:04:32,939 ICESAT-2 data. ICESAT-2 provides us with 79 00:04:33,006 --> 00:04:36,976 measurements of sea ice, of vegetation height, 80 00:04:37,043 --> 00:04:39,979 of Inland water data, and so 81 00:04:40,046 --> 00:04:43,916 I try to create awareness of what 82 00:04:43,983 --> 00:04:46,953 this data products are, or this data is and 83 00:04:47,020 --> 00:04:49,989 understand how people can inform practical 84 00:04:50,056 --> 00:04:52,992 applications. So, for example, we have a 85 00:04:53,059 --> 00:04:57,964 researcher in Brazil who is looking at 86 00:04:58,031 --> 00:05:01,000 how to use the Inland water data product to look 87 00:05:01,067 --> 00:05:04,937 at surface water from space over the Amazon basin. 88 00:05:05,004 --> 00:05:06,939 There are a lot of floods and droughts 89 00:05:07,006 --> 00:05:09,976 that have impacted the local population. And so 90 00:05:10,043 --> 00:05:13,980 this information is very much needed and 91 00:05:14,047 --> 00:05:16,983 we have other people that are looking at for example, the vegetation 92 00:05:17,050 --> 00:05:20,920 data products from ICESAT-2 here in the United States 93 00:05:20,987 --> 00:05:23,956 to look at changes in sage-grouse 94 00:05:24,023 --> 00:05:26,993 ecosystems or looking at changes 95 00:05:27,060 --> 00:05:30,997 in in dry-land ecosystems to inform 96 00:05:31,064 --> 00:05:34,000 changes to bird habitats. So 97 00:05:34,067 --> 00:05:36,969 these are just a couple of examples 98 00:05:37,036 --> 00:05:40,940 that is basically what I do. That 99 00:05:41,007 --> 00:05:43,976 is fascinating work. Can you tell us a little bit about 100 00:05:44,043 --> 00:05:47,947 the path that led you to your career at NASA? Yeah, 101 00:05:48,014 --> 00:05:50,983 well, I never expect it to work at NASA. First of all, 102 00:05:51,050 --> 00:05:54,921 I always thought about astronauts and outer space, but never really 103 00:05:54,987 --> 00:05:57,924 the Earth. We came here with my family 104 00:05:57,990 --> 00:06:00,960 in the late 1980s. My dad was a 105 00:06:01,027 --> 00:06:04,964 Telecommunications Engineer and he was part 106 00:06:05,031 --> 00:06:06,966 of the development team 107 00:06:07,033 --> 00:06:09,969 for what would have been the first space 108 00:06:10,036 --> 00:06:13,005 foreign telecommunication satellite in Colombia. 109 00:06:13,072 --> 00:06:16,008 And so, he really inspired in me that curiosity for Science 110 00:06:16,075 --> 00:06:19,946 and Technology. I think the same for my mom. 111 00:06:20,012 --> 00:06:22,982 She has always been very actively involved 112 00:06:23,049 --> 00:06:26,986 in our community through her volunteer work. And so she 113 00:06:27,053 --> 00:06:30,022 really has made me appreciate that love for serving 114 00:06:30,089 --> 00:06:33,960 others. I am very much a people person and 115 00:06:34,026 --> 00:06:36,963 I love to connect people and 116 00:06:37,029 --> 00:06:39,966 connect with people and this is a big part of what 117 00:06:40,032 --> 00:06:43,002 I do at Goddard. I studied 118 00:06:43,069 --> 00:06:46,973 agriculture and natural resources economics and 119 00:06:47,039 --> 00:06:50,943 Science and Technology policy. So I 120 00:06:51,010 --> 00:06:53,946 guess you could say it's an unexpected way to get to 121 00:06:54,013 --> 00:06:56,983 NASA. Like you just said it was an unexpected 122 00:06:57,049 --> 00:07:00,019 way, but for people following a similar career 123 00:07:00,086 --> 00:07:03,956 path, what would you like them to know? 124 00:07:04,023 --> 00:07:07,994 That there are a diverse number 125 00:07:08,060 --> 00:07:10,997 of professions that you can find at Goddard. I 126 00:07:11,063 --> 00:07:14,934 think this is one of the things that most impacted me when I started working 127 00:07:15,001 --> 00:07:17,937 there. You have Astrophysicists. You have 128 00:07:18,004 --> 00:07:21,941 Astronauts. You have all the way to educational 129 00:07:22,008 --> 00:07:24,944 and outreach experts. So, I would say 130 00:07:25,011 --> 00:07:27,947 there's an opportunity for all and I would 131 00:07:28,014 --> 00:07:30,983 encourage everyone to just love yourself 132 00:07:31,050 --> 00:07:33,953 and have this reflect in what you do 133 00:07:34,020 --> 00:07:36,956 so that this energy opens up the doors for you. It's 134 00:07:37,023 --> 00:07:40,960 a great answer. Thank you, Sabrina. Thank you very much. 135 00:07:41,027 --> 00:07:43,996 With hard work and dedication anything is possible 136 00:07:44,063 --> 00:07:46,999 and for Diana Trujillol, an aerospace engineer 137 00:07:47,066 --> 00:07:50,002 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, these words 138 00:07:50,069 --> 00:07:53,940 are a true testament to her story. Diana 139 00:07:54,006 --> 00:07:56,976 moved from Colombia to the U.S. overcoming adversity 140 00:07:57,043 --> 00:08:00,012 and is now working on her second spacecraft 141 00:08:00,079 --> 00:08:02,882 sent to Mars. Let's take a look. 142 00:08:02,949 --> 00:08:07,520 It never occurred to me in my life that I could move from cleaning houses to arriving 143 00:08:07,587 --> 00:08:10,156 to this situation working with Mars 2020. 144 00:08:10,223 --> 00:08:11,257 My name is Diana Trujillo 145 00:08:11,324 --> 00:08:13,793 and I work with robotic arms to collect materials 146 00:08:13,860 --> 00:08:18,865 on the surface of the planet Mars in order to understand and answer the question, 147 00:08:18,931 --> 00:08:23,336 "Was there ever life on the surface of Mars?" That is one of the most 148 00:08:23,402 --> 00:08:26,939 fundamental questions that human beings have had for many years. We are in the 149 00:08:27,006 --> 00:08:30,543 laboratory where we do all of the tests on the robotic arm. 150 00:08:30,610 --> 00:08:34,347 The robotic arms for these missions are very important because we do not have a 151 00:08:34,413 --> 00:08:37,250 geologist who can walk on the surface. So, what 152 00:08:37,316 --> 00:08:41,287 we have to do is carry several instruments that we can lift up 153 00:08:41,354 --> 00:08:45,324 from the surface and that’s when we need a robotic arm that can 154 00:08:45,391 --> 00:08:49,595 put the instruments down on the surface. We are standing in an area where 155 00:08:49,662 --> 00:08:53,399 we simulate the surface of Mars and the intention is to show that we can 156 00:08:53,466 --> 00:08:58,237 drive in different conditions with the robot. When I start to think about how 157 00:08:58,304 --> 00:09:01,841 It was that I got to where I am, it’se something that I can’t believe. When I was in 158 00:09:01,908 --> 00:09:06,379 Colombia unfortunately there was a lot of violence and looking at the stars was something 159 00:09:06,445 --> 00:09:10,349 that could help calm me down. I came here to the United States 160 00:09:10,416 --> 00:09:15,655 when I was 17, I learned English when I got here. I come to work as one 161 00:09:15,721 --> 00:09:20,559 Hispanic woman representing many people who haven’t thought they can 162 00:09:20,626 --> 00:09:23,930 be part of this, but they can be at some point. Then I feel 163 00:09:23,996 --> 00:09:28,534 extremely happy to know that I have the opportunity to be part of a group that 164 00:09:28,601 --> 00:09:32,972 can change history. 165 00:09:33,039 --> 00:09:36,008 It takes a huge team of diverse individuals with an array 166 00:09:36,075 --> 00:09:39,912 of talents and skills to get many of our NASA missions 167 00:09:39,979 --> 00:09:42,949 off the ground. From mission start to finish, our Hispanic 168 00:09:43,015 --> 00:09:45,985 American employees have been trailblazers in the many 169 00:09:46,052 --> 00:09:49,956 roles they fill to explore the Earth and beyond. Today, 170 00:09:50,022 --> 00:09:52,992 we are joined by Lucas Paganini, a program scientist 171 00:09:53,059 --> 00:09:56,028 at NASA Headquarters. Glad you could join us today. 172 00:09:56,095 --> 00:10:01,934 Hello Lucas. Hello, thank you very much for the invitation. You’re welcome. 173 00:10:02,001 --> 00:10:02,935 So can you tell us a little 174 00:10:03,002 --> 00:10:05,972 bit about what you do as a program scientist. 175 00:10:06,038 --> 00:10:11,944 Sure, unlike a traditional scientist 176 00:10:12,011 --> 00:10:14,947 who specializes in a given scientific 177 00:10:15,014 --> 00:10:17,984 field, a program scientist at NASA Headquarters 178 00:10:18,050 --> 00:10:21,954 oversee the broad science content and execution 179 00:10:22,021 --> 00:10:24,991 of space mission and research programs. I 180 00:10:25,057 --> 00:10:27,994 work in the Planetary Science Division, which 181 00:10:28,060 --> 00:10:31,931 deals with the study of the solar system, 182 00:10:31,998 --> 00:10:35,935 except our planet and the Sun. 183 00:10:36,002 --> 00:10:38,938 And can you tell us who your most memorable project 184 00:10:39,005 --> 00:10:42,008 that you've worked on? 185 00:10:42,074 --> 00:10:45,978 Well, when I used to be a traditional scientist, 186 00:10:46,045 --> 00:10:49,015 my group discovered water vapor on 187 00:10:49,081 --> 00:10:52,952 one of Jupiter's moon called 188 00:10:53,019 --> 00:10:55,955 Europa. Europa is a moon slightly 189 00:10:56,022 --> 00:10:58,991 smaller than our own Moon and we believe 190 00:10:59,058 --> 00:11:01,994 it might have a liquid water ocean under 191 00:11:02,061 --> 00:11:04,997 its surface with twice as much water as 192 00:11:05,064 --> 00:11:08,968 all of Earth's oceans combined. Now, 193 00:11:09,035 --> 00:11:11,971 this has huge implications for our search 194 00:11:12,038 --> 00:11:15,007 for life beyond Earth and 195 00:11:15,074 --> 00:11:18,978 this is why NASA is working on a space mission 196 00:11:19,045 --> 00:11:22,915 called Europa Clipper that will go to Europa 197 00:11:22,982 --> 00:11:25,918 in 10 years and will gather details of the 198 00:11:25,985 --> 00:11:28,954 moon with unprecedented details at this 199 00:11:29,021 --> 00:11:32,925 distances never been achieved before. 200 00:11:32,992 --> 00:11:35,928 That's amazing. Let's take it back to 201 00:11:35,995 --> 00:11:38,931 your childhood. And can you tell me your earliest 202 00:11:38,998 --> 00:11:41,934 memory that made you want to pursue a profession in space 203 00:11:42,001 --> 00:11:44,003 exploration? 204 00:11:44,070 --> 00:11:47,940 Yes, of course since I was a child, 205 00:11:48,007 --> 00:11:50,976 I always wanted to be an astronaut and a pilot, 206 00:11:51,043 --> 00:11:54,013 you know, like so many kids I 207 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:57,917 grew up seeing astronauts during the space 208 00:11:57,983 --> 00:12:00,953 shuttle era, building the International Space 209 00:12:01,020 --> 00:12:04,957 Station and servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope, 210 00:12:05,024 --> 00:12:07,960 but when I had to choose a career, space 211 00:12:08,027 --> 00:12:11,964 exploration was not available in my city. So, 212 00:12:12,031 --> 00:12:13,999 you know, it was only later on that 213 00:12:14,066 --> 00:12:18,938 the study of space found me. And 214 00:12:19,004 --> 00:12:22,007 this is actually a subject I want to get your take on Lucas, according 215 00:12:22,074 --> 00:12:25,911 to the National Science Foundation, Hispanic Americans accounted 216 00:12:25,978 --> 00:12:28,948 for six percent of the workforce in science and engineering. 217 00:12:29,014 --> 00:12:31,951 Can you explain the importance of having representation 218 00:12:32,017 --> 00:12:34,987 in this field and what we can do in order to have 219 00:12:35,054 --> 00:12:38,924 better representation in STEM? 220 00:12:38,991 --> 00:12:41,994 Yeah, this is very important. Science 221 00:12:42,061 --> 00:12:45,965 and engineering is the future and 222 00:12:46,031 --> 00:12:49,935 for any community to thrive they must be part of this 223 00:12:50,002 --> 00:12:52,938 wave. I think it's our duty as role 224 00:12:53,005 --> 00:12:56,942 models to motivate kids and young scientists 225 00:12:57,009 --> 00:12:59,945 to consider these careers. You 226 00:13:00,012 --> 00:13:02,948 know, our community is the largest minority 227 00:13:03,015 --> 00:13:06,919 group in the United States accounting for 20% 228 00:13:06,986 --> 00:13:08,921 of the total population. So 229 00:13:08,988 --> 00:13:11,991 definitely 6% is rather low, 230 00:13:12,057 --> 00:13:14,994 but you know, unfortunately only 20% of our 231 00:13:15,060 --> 00:13:18,964 community has college degrees. So, there 232 00:13:19,031 --> 00:13:21,967 is a long way to go but 233 00:13:22,034 --> 00:13:24,970 on the bright side the amount of Latin or 234 00:13:25,037 --> 00:13:28,941 Hispanic people with college degrees has tripled 235 00:13:29,008 --> 00:13:31,977 over the past 15 years. So, this is 236 00:13:32,044 --> 00:13:34,980 the highest increase for all groups, which 237 00:13:35,047 --> 00:13:38,017 is really encouraging, you know, 238 00:13:38,083 --> 00:13:41,987 I think the message is: Education is essential 239 00:13:42,054 --> 00:13:44,990 and it's what gave me the opportunity to come 240 00:13:45,057 --> 00:13:47,993 to NASA. Now, at NASA we are 241 00:13:48,060 --> 00:13:50,996 committed to a culture of diversity, inclusion 242 00:13:51,063 --> 00:13:53,999 and equality and we hope to see more 243 00:13:54,066 --> 00:13:57,937 young people from all backgrounds join 244 00:13:58,003 --> 00:14:00,940 us in the near future. So, you know keep 245 00:14:01,006 --> 00:14:03,976 studying, work hard. Everything is 246 00:14:04,043 --> 00:14:05,010 possible. 247 00:14:05,077 --> 00:14:12,952 Yes, we can. Thank you so much for joining us today, Lucas. It was a pleasure, thank you very much for the invitation. 248 00:14:13,018 --> 00:14:13,986 After a 249 00:14:14,053 --> 00:14:16,021 mission is in its working stages. Can you guess what comes 250 00:14:16,088 --> 00:14:19,992 next? That's right the stage where logic and creativity 251 00:14:20,059 --> 00:14:23,028 meet to build spacecraft instruments and the complex 252 00:14:23,095 --> 00:14:26,999 advanced technologies needed to conduct NASA missions 253 00:14:27,066 --> 00:14:30,002 like the Perseverance rover, which is currently on its way to 254 00:14:30,069 --> 00:14:33,005 Mars. This rover is the first step to a 255 00:14:33,072 --> 00:14:34,974 round-trip mission that will 256 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:37,977 collect and cache Martian samples for a future 257 00:14:38,043 --> 00:14:41,013 mission, which will retrieve those samples and bring them 258 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:44,950 back to Earth. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Yajaira Sierra-Sastre, 259 00:14:45,017 --> 00:14:47,987 a project manager at NASA's 260 00:14:48,053 --> 00:14:51,991 Glenn Research Center. Welcome, Yajaira. 261 00:14:52,057 --> 00:14:54,994 Thank you very much. Thank you. And how did growing 262 00:14:55,060 --> 00:14:59,932 up in Puerto Rico foster your passion for space? 263 00:14:59,999 --> 00:15:02,968 Yes, I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I come from a very small town called Arroyo. 264 00:15:03,035 --> 00:15:05,938 and I have really great memories 265 00:15:06,005 --> 00:15:09,008 about the nights spent staring at the black sky 266 00:15:09,074 --> 00:15:12,945 and the stars, you know in the middle of the night. 267 00:15:13,012 --> 00:15:15,981 I also have really good memories growing up and 268 00:15:16,048 --> 00:15:18,984 doing science fair projects, investigating the trims that I could 269 00:15:19,051 --> 00:15:22,921 see in the mouth of the river that crossed town. So 270 00:15:22,988 --> 00:15:25,958 Arroyo was my playground. It was that place that instilled in 271 00:15:26,025 --> 00:15:28,994 me that passion for science. Beautiful mountains 272 00:15:29,061 --> 00:15:29,094 and a 273 00:15:29,094 --> 00:15:32,965 beautiful ocean that really sparked in me that curiosity 274 00:15:33,032 --> 00:15:35,000 to explore the universe. 275 00:15:35,067 --> 00:15:38,003 So, you said your path to NASA took a 276 00:15:38,070 --> 00:15:42,007 few different turns. Can you tell us a little bit more about that? 277 00:15:42,074 --> 00:15:45,978 That's correct. So, prior to my job at NASA 278 00:15:46,045 --> 00:15:48,981 I had to reinvent myself many times 279 00:15:49,048 --> 00:15:52,951 over the course of my career. I am a material scientist by training 280 00:15:53,018 --> 00:15:56,922 but before becoming a scientist, I was a high school teacher 281 00:15:56,989 --> 00:15:59,925 and I taught for one year Chemistry at my former 282 00:15:59,992 --> 00:16:02,995 high school. After that, I continued doing 283 00:16:03,062 --> 00:16:04,997 research internships because I wanted to 284 00:16:05,064 --> 00:16:08,000 become a scientist and finally finished my 285 00:16:08,067 --> 00:16:11,937 PhD in Material Science, but after that after 286 00:16:12,004 --> 00:16:14,940 graduation, I work as a scientist for different 287 00:16:15,007 --> 00:16:17,943 startup companies also worked for the Federal 288 00:16:18,010 --> 00:16:20,979 Government in a different agency in a completely different 289 00:16:21,046 --> 00:16:23,982 technology area the for security feature 290 00:16:24,049 --> 00:16:26,985 applications. And now I am at NASA finally 291 00:16:27,052 --> 00:16:29,988 at NASA fulfilling my dream, space 292 00:16:30,055 --> 00:16:33,959 dream because space has been always a passion. Now 293 00:16:34,026 --> 00:16:34,993 you are leading 294 00:16:35,060 --> 00:16:38,931 an effort of building one of the Mars spring tires 295 00:16:38,997 --> 00:16:41,934 that will one day be used for NASA's first ever Mars 296 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,937 Sample Return in 2026. Can you tell us more 297 00:16:45,003 --> 00:16:47,973 about the tires? Yes. So, I am the project 298 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:50,976 manager for the Mars spring tire team. This is a team 299 00:16:51,043 --> 00:16:53,979 responsible for the design, build and testing of 300 00:16:54,046 --> 00:16:56,982 the shape memory alloy tires that will be 301 00:16:57,049 --> 00:16:59,985 in the future rover that we'll be sending 302 00:17:00,052 --> 00:17:03,021 to Mars. These tires are made of shapeshifting 303 00:17:03,088 --> 00:17:04,990 materials. Materials that can 304 00:17:05,057 --> 00:17:08,026 conform to rocky terrains and materials and tires 305 00:17:08,093 --> 00:17:10,996 that will be very durable and that will 306 00:17:11,063 --> 00:17:14,933 be able to just traverse those 307 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,936 long distances to pick up the samples that the 308 00:17:18,003 --> 00:17:21,940 Perseverance rover will be collecting on the surface of Mars. 309 00:17:22,007 --> 00:17:24,943 Yajaira what advice do you have for other Hispanic Americans 310 00:17:25,010 --> 00:17:28,914 who want to pursue a career path like yours? 311 00:17:28,981 --> 00:17:31,950 I would like to advise other Hispanics to really consider 312 00:17:32,017 --> 00:17:34,987 a career in science. My career has been filled of many wonderful 313 00:17:35,053 --> 00:17:37,990 adventures from being a research scientist to joining 314 00:17:38,056 --> 00:17:40,993 a simulated Mars mission to now working at 315 00:17:41,059 --> 00:17:44,930 NASA in technologies that we will be sending to Mars. 316 00:17:44,997 --> 00:17:48,000 So, Science and Technology are filled 317 00:17:48,066 --> 00:17:51,937 with many many many awesome opportunities. I 318 00:17:52,004 --> 00:17:54,973 also like to tell other Hispanics like me 319 00:17:55,040 --> 00:17:57,976 to reach out to scientists and engineers. Ask questions 320 00:17:58,043 --> 00:18:01,013 about career paths because they can learn a lot about 321 00:18:01,079 --> 00:18:04,950 which career path they feel passionate 322 00:18:05,017 --> 00:18:07,986 about and most importantly I would like to tell 323 00:18:08,053 --> 00:18:10,956 Hispanics to leverage their biculturalism. We are 324 00:18:11,023 --> 00:18:13,992 people that are experienced at 325 00:18:14,059 --> 00:18:17,930 engaging with different types of people, diverse people 326 00:18:17,996 --> 00:18:20,933 from diverse cultures and backgrounds so leverage 327 00:18:20,999 --> 00:18:24,002 that in your workplaces, in your future career, 328 00:18:24,069 --> 00:18:27,940 to get innovative to to make 329 00:18:28,006 --> 00:18:28,073 our work 330 00:18:28,073 --> 00:18:34,947 places better places. Fantastic advice, Yajaira. Thank you for your time. 331 00:18:35,013 --> 00:18:37,983 Thank you very much. Now, there are so many people dedicated 332 00:18:38,050 --> 00:18:41,954 to working on new technologies that will help explore beyond 333 00:18:42,020 --> 00:18:44,957 Earth's horizon. Let's meet Dionne Hernandez-Lugo 334 00:18:45,023 --> 00:18:47,960 a project manager for Kilopower at NASA's 335 00:18:48,026 --> 00:18:50,963 Glenn Research Center who is working to create power 336 00:18:51,029 --> 00:18:53,999 systems for future astronauts to live and 337 00:18:54,066 --> 00:18:56,935 work on the Moon or Mars. 338 00:18:57,002 --> 00:19:04,510 If we are going to go to the Moon or Mars we are going to need nuclear energy. My name is Dr. Dionne Hernández Lugo 339 00:19:04,576 --> 00:19:12,651 and I manage a group of engineers developing electrical systems for future space exploration. 340 00:19:12,718 --> 00:19:18,657 Kilopower is a nuclear system. The system consists of using uranium. 341 00:19:18,724 --> 00:19:27,132 Uranium is heated and this heat is then transferred to electricity in order to not only power 342 00:19:27,199 --> 00:19:33,305 instruments but also give astronauts the ability to survive. 343 00:19:33,372 --> 00:19:39,978 Growing up in Puerto Rico, I always asked a lot of questions and asked my mom a lot of things. She bought me a 344 00:19:40,045 --> 00:19:43,782 microscope and with this microscope I could collect different samples 345 00:19:43,849 --> 00:19:50,222 and be able to analyze them. This is actually what made me more interested in science. 346 00:19:50,289 --> 00:19:57,029 Now here at NASA we can explore and continue to explore space. 347 00:19:57,095 --> 00:20:00,933 The excitement behind NASA's missions wouldn't be possible without 348 00:20:00,999 --> 00:20:03,969 viewers like you. Engaging, educating 349 00:20:04,036 --> 00:20:06,972 and reaching out to the public is an important part of NASA's 350 00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:10,008 mission. Besides, what's the point of doing awesome 351 00:20:10,075 --> 00:20:13,946 science in space if you have no one to share it with? 352 00:20:14,012 --> 00:20:16,982 Let's welcome other Adriana Manrique, a multimedia 353 00:20:17,049 --> 00:20:19,985 specialist and animator at the Conceptual Image 354 00:20:20,052 --> 00:20:25,958 Lab at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Thank you for being with us. 355 00:20:26,024 --> 00:20:28,026 Thank you, Raquel. It’s a pleasure to be here. 356 00:20:28,093 --> 00:20:31,964 Adriana, you came to the United States to pursue your passion. 357 00:20:32,030 --> 00:20:34,967 Can you tell us some more about your journey? Sure. I 358 00:20:35,033 --> 00:20:37,970 came to the U.S. when I was 19 years old. I 359 00:20:38,036 --> 00:20:41,006 used to live in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico and initially 360 00:20:41,073 --> 00:20:44,943 I came up here to study illustration and animation 361 00:20:45,010 --> 00:20:48,947 at the Savannah College of Art and Design. And 362 00:20:49,014 --> 00:20:51,950 can you tell us more about how you got into your role at Goddard’s Image 363 00:20:52,017 --> 00:20:54,953 Lab? Sure, during my last 364 00:20:55,020 --> 00:20:55,954 year of my master's 365 00:20:56,021 --> 00:20:58,991 the mission ICESAT-2 came down 366 00:20:59,057 --> 00:21:02,928 to the college and actually requested a group of students 367 00:21:02,995 --> 00:21:05,964 to create a series of multimedia 368 00:21:06,031 --> 00:21:09,001 products and those were animations, illustrations, 369 00:21:09,067 --> 00:21:12,938 posters and they're still being used today. It's 370 00:21:13,005 --> 00:21:15,941 amazing. Now. What is your role at Goddard’s 371 00:21:16,008 --> 00:21:17,943 Image Lab today? 372 00:21:18,010 --> 00:21:20,946 Right now, I am a Multimedia Specialist 373 00:21:21,013 --> 00:21:24,016 animator and I create 2D and 3D animations 374 00:21:24,082 --> 00:21:27,919 for several missions. Most of 375 00:21:27,986 --> 00:21:30,922 them that go through Goddard. As well, 376 00:21:30,989 --> 00:21:33,925 I also create illustrations, other 377 00:21:33,992 --> 00:21:36,928 graphic design products. And 378 00:21:36,995 --> 00:21:39,965 can you tell me what is one of your favorite projects that you've worked 379 00:21:40,032 --> 00:21:42,968 on? Sure, my favorite project 380 00:21:43,035 --> 00:21:45,971 was with ICESAT-2 and it was the 88 381 00:21:46,038 --> 00:21:47,939 Traverse video. Now what the 382 00:21:48,006 --> 00:21:50,976 88 Traverse is, is a trip 383 00:21:51,043 --> 00:21:53,979 that two scientists from the mission 384 00:21:54,046 --> 00:21:56,982 do every year down to the 88 South Line 385 00:21:57,049 --> 00:21:59,985 in Antarctica. And what they do is they 386 00:22:00,052 --> 00:22:02,988 Set up reflectors that will help calibrate the 387 00:22:03,055 --> 00:22:06,925 satellite in space. When talking to the scientist 388 00:22:06,992 --> 00:22:09,961 one of them mentioned that it's been, 389 00:22:10,028 --> 00:22:12,998 it's the first time that people have walked that exact 390 00:22:13,065 --> 00:22:16,001 traverse. So, the producer and I were like, 391 00:22:16,068 --> 00:22:17,936 this is amazing. It's like we need 392 00:22:18,003 --> 00:22:21,973 to put that sense of adventure, like the old 393 00:22:22,040 --> 00:22:24,976 explorers’ type of thing and we just thought it was 394 00:22:25,043 --> 00:22:28,013 amazing because it's like boots on the ground doing this amazing stuff 395 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:32,918 and it's actually to help a satellite up in space. Now 396 00:22:32,984 --> 00:22:35,987 what many people think of when you work at NASA is to be a scientist 397 00:22:36,054 --> 00:22:39,958 or engineer, but you are doing very cool work as an animator. 398 00:22:40,025 --> 00:22:42,961 What made you want to pursue a career in animation at 399 00:22:43,028 --> 00:22:44,029 NASA? 400 00:22:44,096 --> 00:22:47,933 Sure. The reason that I just love 401 00:22:47,999 --> 00:22:50,936 being here is because every single project 402 00:22:51,002 --> 00:22:53,939 it's a new challenge is something that I never thought 403 00:22:54,005 --> 00:22:56,975 I would have to learn about like heliophysics, 404 00:22:57,042 --> 00:22:59,978 lasers, astrophysics and all these kind 405 00:23:00,045 --> 00:23:02,981 of things that are just super specialized and just 406 00:23:03,048 --> 00:23:06,918 the people that I work with they’re amazing. 407 00:23:06,985 --> 00:23:13,925 So, every day, it's just a great great day. 408 00:23:13,992 --> 00:23:16,928 Thank you for being with us today Adriana. Thank you very much for having me. 409 00:23:16,995 --> 00:23:19,931 As you can see there are 410 00:23:19,998 --> 00:23:22,934 many fields that can lead to a career at NASA and 411 00:23:23,001 --> 00:23:26,004 you don't have to be a scientist or engineer to join the team. From 412 00:23:26,071 --> 00:23:29,007 lawyers and legislative roles to communication, social 413 00:23:29,074 --> 00:23:32,944 media and video, there's a place at NASA for a diverse 414 00:23:33,011 --> 00:23:35,947 range of careers and all are essential to 415 00:23:36,014 --> 00:23:38,950 the agency's mission and goals. I am joined 416 00:23:39,017 --> 00:23:41,953 Now by NASA Disasters Program Coordinator 417 00:23:42,020 --> 00:23:44,990 Ricardo Quiroga. Ricardo's research focuses 418 00:23:45,056 --> 00:23:45,991 on disaster risk 419 00:23:46,057 --> 00:23:49,928 reduction and the application of Earth's observation 420 00:23:49,995 --> 00:23:52,931 to develop products and services for decision makers 421 00:23:52,998 --> 00:23:55,967 throughout the disaster cycle. Ricardo, Thank 422 00:23:56,034 --> 00:23:58,003 you for joining us today. 423 00:23:58,069 --> 00:24:01,973 Thank you for having me here. This is an honor for me. And 424 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:05,911 let's talk about how growing up in Colombia influenced 425 00:24:05,977 --> 00:24:08,914 the work you do today. Yes, I was born 426 00:24:08,980 --> 00:24:11,917 in Colombia in the coffee region with one of the 427 00:24:11,983 --> 00:24:14,953 most variety birds in the world. 428 00:24:15,020 --> 00:24:17,956 Also, I’ve touredall the ecosystems 429 00:24:18,023 --> 00:24:20,992 and regions in Colombia. Also visited in Amazon 430 00:24:21,059 --> 00:24:23,995 jungle where I work with indigenous communities trying 431 00:24:24,062 --> 00:24:27,999 to help to protect the ecosystems and those 432 00:24:28,066 --> 00:24:30,969 communities including the non-contacted 433 00:24:31,036 --> 00:24:34,940 communities. That's why I understood 434 00:24:35,006 --> 00:24:37,909 the needs of observations to understand 435 00:24:37,976 --> 00:24:40,946 the planet and deal with this kind 436 00:24:41,012 --> 00:24:43,949 of challenge and disasters. And 437 00:24:44,015 --> 00:24:46,985 can you tell us more about your role at NASA and 438 00:24:47,052 --> 00:24:50,956 for you personally, why it is important? 439 00:24:51,022 --> 00:24:53,992 Yes, my roll at NASA is to be a bridge between the data, 440 00:24:54,059 --> 00:24:57,963 NASA expertise and models with 441 00:24:58,029 --> 00:25:00,999 the communities, the countries, the government and disaster 442 00:25:01,066 --> 00:25:04,936 agencies. Be the bridge between NASA 443 00:25:05,003 --> 00:25:07,939 science and technology and decision-makers in the 444 00:25:08,006 --> 00:25:10,942 region. To support them, understanding the 445 00:25:11,009 --> 00:25:14,012 risk, understanding the damage and also providing 446 00:25:14,079 --> 00:25:17,949 near-real-time products to make this important decision 447 00:25:18,016 --> 00:25:20,986 in all the whole cycle of the disasters. 448 00:25:21,052 --> 00:25:23,989 And what natural disasters has your work helped 449 00:25:24,055 --> 00:25:26,992 in regards to recovery? Yeah, 450 00:25:27,058 --> 00:25:29,995 our program works with a different variety 451 00:25:30,061 --> 00:25:33,932 of disasters. For example, landslides, hurricanes 452 00:25:33,999 --> 00:25:36,968 floods, fires, providing near 453 00:25:37,035 --> 00:25:40,939 real-time data to end users. But 454 00:25:41,006 --> 00:25:43,975 nowadays, we are working with Guatemala City 455 00:25:44,042 --> 00:25:46,978 and multi-risk assessment in Guatemala City is important 456 00:25:47,045 --> 00:25:49,981 because their lives 1.8 457 00:25:50,048 --> 00:25:51,016 million people. 458 00:25:51,082 --> 00:25:54,920 Most of them poor communities and this 459 00:25:54,986 --> 00:25:57,956 is a combined effort with 460 00:25:58,023 --> 00:26:01,960 government of Guatemala, Guatemala City Government, 461 00:26:02,027 --> 00:26:04,996 United Nation disaster risk reduction and other Regional 462 00:26:05,063 --> 00:26:08,934 agencies in disasters. This is an 463 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:11,970 incredible project because we are using high resolution 464 00:26:12,037 --> 00:26:15,006 data NASA data and NASA models to 465 00:26:15,073 --> 00:26:18,944 modeling the risk in that City and 466 00:26:19,010 --> 00:26:21,947 that city has high seismic risk 467 00:26:22,013 --> 00:26:24,950 that could affect many 468 00:26:25,016 --> 00:26:28,019 people. And how do you connect to the communities 469 00:26:28,086 --> 00:26:31,957 and the people that you work with that you mentioned? 470 00:26:32,023 --> 00:26:34,993 Yeah working the Americas is important to 471 00:26:35,060 --> 00:26:38,930 know the cultural elements, it’s important 472 00:26:38,997 --> 00:26:41,967 to speak the language, the original languages. Also 473 00:26:42,033 --> 00:26:45,003 trying to connect the people as friends because we are creating 474 00:26:45,070 --> 00:26:48,974 a community in disasters topics. That's 475 00:26:49,040 --> 00:26:50,976 why is very important that NASA 476 00:26:51,042 --> 00:26:54,980 to lead and achieve credibility, to 477 00:26:55,046 --> 00:26:59,951 join all those points, those stakeholders 478 00:27:00,018 --> 00:27:03,021 to create a collaborative efforts 479 00:27:03,088 --> 00:27:06,024 to support decision-making and also 480 00:27:06,091 --> 00:27:09,928 to deal with disasters in 481 00:27:09,995 --> 00:27:12,931 the in one of the most exposed regions in the world 482 00:27:12,998 --> 00:27:15,934 to disasters. The work you 483 00:27:16,001 --> 00:27:18,937 do is very important. And for those 484 00:27:19,004 --> 00:27:20,972 watching what's one piece of advice 485 00:27:21,039 --> 00:27:24,943 you could share with others who are just starting in their careers 486 00:27:25,010 --> 00:27:28,947 and maybe want to take a similar career path to yours? 487 00:27:29,014 --> 00:27:31,950 Well, I came here because I have my heart very 488 00:27:32,017 --> 00:27:34,986 connected with the nature, with the communities and 489 00:27:35,053 --> 00:27:38,923 at one point of my life and I understood that it is 490 00:27:38,990 --> 00:27:41,960 absolutely needed to involve science 491 00:27:42,027 --> 00:27:44,963 and technology to deal with the big challenges 492 00:27:45,030 --> 00:27:50,001 that humanity has in the future. For example, overpopulation, 493 00:27:50,068 --> 00:27:53,004 limited resources and also great 494 00:27:53,071 --> 00:27:56,941 disasters coming. I think the Science and Technology 495 00:27:57,008 --> 00:27:57,976 combined with passion for them 496 00:27:58,043 --> 00:28:01,913 is a key element to be part of this 497 00:28:01,980 --> 00:28:04,949 effort to save lives and goods in the communities 498 00:28:05,016 --> 00:28:07,986 of the Americas. Fantastic advice. 499 00:28:08,053 --> 00:28:12,924 Thank you, Ricardo, for sharing that and joining us today. 500 00:28:12,991 --> 00:28:15,927 Thank you for having me here is an honor to be part of 501 00:28:15,994 --> 00:28:18,930 the NASA Disaster Program. Thank you. Thank 502 00:28:18,997 --> 00:28:21,933 you and thank you for joining us at home. There's 503 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,936 another opportunity coming up this afternoon for 504 00:28:25,003 --> 00:28:27,939 you to ask questions to some of NASA's Hispanic-American 505 00:28:28,006 --> 00:28:28,039 employees. 506 00:28:28,039 --> 00:28:30,975 Join a Reddit AMA at 4 507 00:28:31,042 --> 00:28:33,978 p.m. Eastern time. visit the NASA en Espanol 508 00:28:34,045 --> 00:28:36,981 accounts for information and a direct link 509 00:28:37,048 --> 00:28:39,984 and while you're there make sure to follow NASA español 510 00:28:40,051 --> 00:28:42,987 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank